Constructions for tables and like structures



y 2, 1963 J. M. LIPTAY 3,095,836

CONSTRUCTIONS FOR TABLES AND LIKE STRUCTURES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1961 INVENTOR JOHN M. LlPTAY ATTORNEY.

y 2, 1963 J. M. LIPTAY 3,095,836

CONSTRUCTIONS FOR TABLES AND LIKE STRUCTURES Filed March 8, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN M. LIPTAY ATTORNEY.

July 2, 1963 CONSTRUCTIONS FOR Filed March 8, 1961 J. M. LIPTAY 3,095,836

TABLES AND LIKE STRUCTURES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'INVENTOR JOHN M. LIPTAY ATTORNEY.

3,095,836 CONSTRUCTIQNS FGR TABLES AND L STRUCTURES John M. Liptay, Manhasset, N .Y., assignor to Laboratory Furniture Company, Inc, Mineola, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 94,367 9 Claims. (til. 108-48) This invention relates to means for controlling and installing table structures and more particularly table structures for use in laboratories and the like.

Heretofore, in the installation of laboratory table structures, it has been the practice to first position the table in its desired position on the floor of the room in which the same is to be permanently located. Thereafter, the necessary walls, ledges, fluid conduits, pipes and Wirings have been tediously snaked into position behind the table for subsequent connection with the various sink-s, faucets and other facilities provided on and in the cabinets forming part of the table structure. The procedure was extremely cumbersome, time consuming and, therefore, unnecessarily expensive. This was so because the openings of the cabinets in the tables were so small that it Was difficult for the Workman to maneuver his body or manipulate his hands and tools within the small spaces of the tables and the cabinets therebeneath.

The present invention has as its object, the eliminmion of the cumbersome installation procedures heretofore employed and includes details of construction that now render it far simpler, easier, less time consuming and, therefore, less expensive to install the same table struc tures and other similar laboratory equipment.

: It is another object of the invention to provide a construotion for tables and the like whereby the surrounding walls of such structures are first secured in their preassigned position relative to the floor of the room in which they are to be permanently aifixed. The invention has, as an object thereof, the inclusion of structural details that enable the permanent support of the requisite pipes and conduits, electrical wiring and other necessary accompanying structural details before the labofratory table structures are moved into their predetermined locations on the floor of the room. This permits rapid prefabrication of such piping and conduits and electrical wiring and testing of the same prior to their installation and obviates the tedious snaking of such equipment into their desired location at a later time when space is at a premium. i

' It is another object of the invention to permit the adjustment of the tables and cabinets relative to the previously positioned walls, conduits, pipes, electrical wiring and other necessary equipment for simple, easy, and rapid connection therewith.

Still another object of the invention is to eliminate the myriad unsightly connections that have heretofore been visible in prior art constructions and to provide for invisible or blind support of the wall portions of the table and cabinet structures.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the structures and arrangements hereinafter more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichi FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the plumbing and wiring conduits retained in position behind and between adjacent spaced table structures that are about to be moved into permanent positions on the floor of the room,

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 with the table structures securely in position remote from the walls of the room,

3,095,835 Patented July 2, 1963 ice FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bracket structure utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of connector means utilized in all forms of the invention,

FIG. 5 is a vertical section of another embodiment of the invention with a laboratory table structure positioned in spaced relationship with an adjacent wall of the room, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bracket structure utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a vertical section of another bracket structure connected directly to the wall of the room.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 4 thereof, the embodiment of the inventive construction there shown and generally identified by the numeral 10. Embodiment 10 illustrates the manner of securing in position in its desired location on the floor of the room, a plurality of laboratory table structures generally -identified by the numerals 12 and 14, each of which includes the necessary cabinets (not shown) that are usually provided therewith. When the laboratory table structures 12 and 14 are to be positioned in a room remote from the walls of the room as shown in the embodiment 16, the rear or backs thereof are relatively spaced from each other.

Positioned in the space between the tables 12 and 14 and at predetermined lengthwise distances along the lengths of the table structures are a plurality of standards generally identified by the numeral 16, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1. The standards 16 each comprise a pair of longitudinally spaced base supports 18 fixedly mounted on a U-shaped foot 20 that is secured by suitable bolts or other securing means 22 to the floor 21 of the room. ()onnected to and supported between the spaced base supports 18 is an upright 24. The upper portion of the upright 24 mounts a pair of longitudinally spaced upper braces each of which is provided with a vertical adjustment slot 28.

The longitudinally spaced pair of upper braces 26 are joined together at their top edges by an inverted U-shaped header 3%). An adjustment bolt 32 extends completely through the standard 16 from one side to the other in the slots 28 of the braces 26 and a nut (not shown) or other tightening means may be provided on the far side of the standard 16 for engagement with the other end of the adjustment bolt 32. Hence, when the nut is loosened, the braces 26 and connecting header 39 may be adjusted vertically up or down relative to the upright 24.

Securely mounted on the header 30 of the standard 16 is a bracket structure generally identified by the numeral 34. Bracket structure 34 includes a pair of spaced oppositely disposed sides 36 and 38 joined together by a top 40 to complete a substantially rectangular form. Extending laterally beyond each of the sides 36 and 38 are a pair of ledge supports 42 and 44 that are provided with upwardly turned engaging fingers 46.

The standard 16, including the bracket structure 34, is adapted to adjustably maintain and support a set of laterally spaced rear walls 48 and 50 each of which is adapted to complete the vertical wall arrangement of their respective table structures 12 and 14. In practice, each table structure 12 and 14 includes numerous different cabinets positioned along their lengths beneath their table tops 52. Hence, when the tables 12 and 14 and their respective vertically disposed rear walls 48 and 59 are joined together, remote from the walls of the room as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, their construction is completed by the placement of a top ledge member 54 overlaying the upper edges of the walls 48 and 50.

e In utilizing the unique teaching of this invention, the

standard 16 with the bracket structure 34 previously dey scribed, is properly positioned on the floor 21 of the room remote from the walls thereof and at the desired location in space to be formed by the permanent location of the tables 12 and 14; They are so fixedin their position by the bolts or other suitable fastening means 22. After the plurality of standards 16 are secured in lengthwise spaced relation along the floor, the necessary plumbing, conduits, wires and other fixtures that are to be utilized to supply fluids, gases, electrical power and the like to the various cabinets and portions of the tables 12 and 14 are adapted to be placed in position. At this time, those skilled in the art Will recognize how much easier, cheaper and less time consuming it is to preassemble such parts and fixtures and test the same before installation than it is to subsequently snake them through small openings and then test them, only to find a leak or break in some part thereof that is inaccessible for correction or repair. Hence, the preassembled parts and fixtures, identified by the numeral 60 are simply secured along their lengths to each of the standards 16 arranged lengthwise along the floor of the room by cradling them in hooks 56 that may be engaged in any one of the suitable openings 58 (FIG. 1) provided in the upright 24. The hooks 56 are easily accessible to the workmen and, therefore, they may be raised or lowered in the openings 58 to raise or lower the fixtures 60 mounted therein so the connecting extensions 61 thereof may be aligned to extend through the rear of the table 12 or 14 at a proper opening 63 provided therein.

After the plumbing conduits and Wiring 60 are mounted in place on the plurality of standards 16 to the rear and in the space that will be defined between the tables 12 and 14, the vertical rear walls 48 and 50 may then be assembled in position against their respective side Walls 36 and 38 of the bracket structure 34. It is important to recognize that in the present invention, both of the rear walls 43 and 54) are invisibly secured to the bracket structure 34 without the use or benefit of visible screws, bolts or other means that will detract from the appearance of the table. This eliminates the possibility that during the utilization of the tables, the prior known bolts and screws may become loose, be lost, and subsequently result in a sagging of the rear walls. 7

In the present invention, the opposite edges of each of the rear walls 48 and 59 are provided with engaging slots or openings 62 that extend for the full length thereof. The slots 62 are sufficiently wide to enable the lower edge of each of the wall members to be positioned on the engaging fingers 46 of the support ledges 42 and 44. When so engaged, each wall 48 and 50 is maintained in position against its respective side 36 and 38 of the bracket structure 34. Thereafter, the top edge of each Wall 48 and 50 is engaged in its engaging opening 62 by a connecting bracket generally identified by the numeral 64 (FIG. 4) The connecting bracket is substantially S- shaped and includes a locking or engaging finger 66 that is adapted to fit into the engaging openings 62 defined along the upper longitudinal edge or" each of the rear wall members 48 and 50. The finger 66 is formed integral with a support body 68 that is joined by a leg 70 to a connecting body 72 and a terminating support finger 74.

When the engaging finger 66 is positioned within the engaging means 62 of each rear wall 48 and 50, the connecting bracket 64 may then be secured to the top means 64, it is impossible to disconnect the walls 48 and 50 from the bracket structure without first unsecuring the connecting brackets 64. This construction permits the invisible or blind support of the rear walls 48 and 50 of the table structures 12 and 14 and eliminates the previously unsightly and oftentimes insecure use of screws and bolts for securing said rear Walls in position relative to the tops of their respective tables 12 and 14.

The complete construction in finished in a workmanlike manner by the placement of the top ledge 54 over the upper edges of the walls 43 and 50 to rest on the support bodies 68 and support fingers 74 of the connecting brackets 64. Although the weight of the ledge member 54 itself is sufiicient to retain the same in its position as shown in FIG. 2, screws 75 may be threaded in the top 44) of the bracket structure 34. When such additional securing means is employed in the actual construction, it has eliminated unwanted or accidental shifting of the top ledge 54 even when the same has been accidentally bumped by the movement of adjacent structures.

After the walls 48 and 50 and ledge member 54 have been secured in position in the manner previously described, the tables 12 and 14 may be then slid into their relative back-to-back spaced relationship as in FIG. 2. During such sliding movement of the tables, the length wise spaced plurality of standards 16 supporting the plumbing and wiring fixtures 60 and bracket structures 34 may be adjusted vertically in height to properly position the walls 48 and St) to accommodate the table tops 52 therebeneath. As the tables are slid into position relative to the standards 16, it is merely necessary to align the extensions 61 of the fixtures 60 with their respective openings 63 defined in the rear of the tables. When the tables 12 and 14 are properly positioned on either side of the standards 16, it is then a simple matter to connect the fixture ends 61 with the equipment contained in the tables since the same were already positioned in their required relationship in the cabinets of the tables when they were moved into their desired positions.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is substantially the same as that disclosed with respect to the embodiment 10 in that the same discloses the use of similar details of construction for locating a laboratory table 14 including its vertically disposed rear wall 50 and top ledge member 54 relative to a wall 178 of the room. In the construction of FIGS. Sand 6, it will be noted that the same standard structure 16 previously described is also employed in the present embodiment. The bracket structure generally identified ,by the numeral 134 eliminates the laterally positioned ledge support 40 and the engaging finger 46 of the previously described bracket structure 34 because it is now necessary that the side 136 thereof fit flush against the wall 178. Otherwise, the construcsurface 40 of the bracket structure 34. This may be done 7 by extending a rivet 76 or any other convenient securing means through a suitable opening 78 provided in the connecting body 72 of the connecting bracket 64. In this way, the rear walls 48 and 50 are securely'mounted on the bracket structure 34 for vertical adjustment relative to the tops 52 of their respective tables 12. and 14. Because of the construction of the. bracket structure 34 including the ledges 42 and 44 and the connecting bracket tion of the instant bracket structure 134 is exactly the same as that previously described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive. Hence, for purposes of explanation and correlation of like details of construction, the instant embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 depicting the bracket structure 134 shall be identified by numerals in the series, the last two digits of which correspond to the last two digits of like details of construction of the prior described bracket structure 34. Hence, arepetitious description of such like details of structure would be superfluous and unnecessary.

, In carrying out the teaching of the invention of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, each one of the plurality of standards 16 is positioned in lengthwise spaced relationship along and adiacent to the wall 178 with theside 136 of the bracket 134 thereof in facing abutment with the wall. Each standard 16 is secured in place by engaging the screw or bolt 22 into the floor 21. There after, the preassembled and tested plumbing and wiring fixtures 60 are cradle mounted at 56 on the upright 24 of each one of the standards 16 with their connecting portions 61 extending toward the back of the table 14 that will subsequently be moved into position. Because only one rear wall 50 is required for the table 14, it is engaged on the finger 146 of the ledge 144 at its engaging slot or opening 62 and thereby maintained with its rear face against the side 138 of the bracket structure 134. The wall 50 is securely mounted to the bracket structure 134 by locking the engaging fingers 66 of the connecting bracket 64 into the engaging means 62 provided along the top edge of the wall member 50. The connecting bracket 64 is secured at 76 to the top 140 of the bracket structure 134.

Because the other side 136 of the bracket structure 134 abuts against the wall, a second connecting bracket 64 is provided on the top 140 and in laterally spaced relationship with that connecting bracket already securing the rear wall 50 in place. The second connecting bracket 64 is also securely connected to the top 140 and thus the combination of the two laterally spaced brackets on the top 140 of each one of the bracket structures 134 positioned lengthwise along the rear of the table 14 will serve to support the top ledge member 54 in place thereover and against the wall 178 of the room. Once again, the top ledge member 54 may be screwed at 75 to the top 140 of one or more of the bracket structures 134 to prevent the same from being accidentally dislodged.

After being so assembled, the upper braces 26 and the header 36 of the standard 16 may be adjusted vertically to properly position the rear wall 50 relative to the top 52 of the table 14. The table is then slid rearward toward the wall and the connecting portions 61 of the fixtures 60 are aligned with suitable openings 63 defined in the rear of the cabinets of the table while the cabinet is slid to the rear to move therethrough. Thereafter, it becomes a simple matter of connecting the portions 61 with the equipment contained in the table 14 without requiring that the plumber or electrician or other technician physically move his body into the small dose fitting, cramped cabinet spaces of the table 14 to snake the fixtures therethrough and then make the desired connections.

It will be readily obvious that the instant invention permits the pre-positioning of standards and bracket structures about the floor of a room and secure the same to such floor to accommodate adjacent table structures. Thereafter, necessary plumbing, wiring and the like may be preassembled, tested on proper fiacilities before being mounted on the standards. Thereafter, wall and ledge portions of the table structures may be invisibly secured in position for accommodation of the table that may later be slid or moved into its required location. The instant invention permits the facile, rapid and inexpensive connection of the preassembled pipe and wiring fixtures to the necessary portions of the tables and eliminates the cumbersome contontions of the technicians who previously had to jack-knife their bodies into the cabinets to complete the necessary connections.

Referring to FIG. 7, the embodiment there shown is generally identified by the numeral 234 and is quite similar in detail to the bracket structure 134 previously described with respect to FIGS. and 6. The bracket structure 234, like the bracket structure 134, is adapted to support the vertically disposed rear wall 50 of table structures generally identified by the numerals 12 and 14, previously described. However, unlike the bracket structure 134, the embodiment of the bracket structure 234 requires no mounting standard to support the same. It is adapted to be mounted directly to the wall 178 of the room and at the desired height above the floor 21 to accommodate the table structure proper and its top 52 therebeneath.

The bracket structure 234 is substantially box-shaped in cross section and is similar in appearance and construction to the previously described bracket structures 34 and 134. Its rear wall 236 is provided with a plurality of openings (not shown) through which screws or other suitable securing means 237 may be passed to mount the bracket as a unit to the wall 178-. Because the bracket structure 234 can be made of a single sheet of material, its side or wall 236 merges at its lowest end with a base side 230 and at its highest end with a top side 240.

A front side or Wall 238 is integral with the top side 240 and at its lower end it is fixedly joined to the base side 236 by spot welds 239 or other securing means. A diagonal disposed brace 241 extends from the juncture of the base side 230 and front side 238 to the rear side 236- where it is again suitably secured by spot'welds 240. The brace 241 rigidifies the bracket structure and prevents distortion of the sides relative to each other when the same is mounted on the wall 178. The base 239 extends beyond the front side 238 and defines a ledge 244 that terminates in an upwardly directed engaging finger 246.

When the bracket structure 234 is properly mounted in height to the wall 178, the rear vertical wall 50' of the table structure 14 may be mounted thereon in such invisible manner as to hide from view its connections with the bracket structure. Just as was disclosed in the prior described embodiments, the wall 50 is supported at its lower edge on the ledge 244 with its engaging means 62 engaged by the finger 264 to retain the wall in place against the front side 238. The upper edge of the rear wall 5% is then connected to the top side 240 of the bracket structure 234 by one of the two connecting brackets 64 in the same manner as was described with respect to the bracket structure 134 of FIGS. 5 and 6. The support of the top ledge member 54 above the top wall 240 by the connecting brackets 64 is accomplished in the same manner as previously described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. Hence, a repetition of such description would seem to be unnecessary.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the in vention as applied to several preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that vanious omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a construction for table structures, a table including a topsurface, a rear wall and a top ledge, said (rear wall extending upwardly from the top surface and having an exposed surface, a bracket having a top and a side, said rear wall having engaging means along opposite edges thereof remote from its exposed surface, support means extending from and beyond the side of said bracket and engaging said engaging means along one of the edges of said rear wall to maintain the same against said bracket side, connecting means engaging said engaging means of said rear wall along the opposite edge thereof, and means securing said connecting means to said bracket top, said connecting means including means to support said top ledge above said bracket to 2. In a construction as in claim 1, a standard on which said bracket is mounted. V

3. In a construction as in claim 2, means on said standard to adjust said bracket and the height of said rear wall and top ledge relative to said table top, and means on said standard to support fixture means for connection with said table.

4. In a construction for a table structure, a table, a bracket, a rear wall for the table having engaging means along opposite edges remote from an exposed face thereof, a ledge extending beyond said bracket and having means engaging said engaging means along one of said edges of said rear wall to support the same relative to said bracket, connecting means having means engaging 7 said engaging means along the other edge of said rear wall, means securing said connecting means to said bracket, a standard mounting said bracket, means on said standard to adjust the height of said bracket and said rear wall to enable the table to be moved into position relative to said rear wall.

5, In a table construction as in claim 4, means on said standard to support fixture means thereon and behind said table for engagement therewith when the table is moved into position relative to said rear Wall.

6. In a bracket structure for supporting a wall remote from an exposed surface thereof, said bracket structure having a plurality of sides, a ledge extending beyond one of said sides and having engaging means thereon, a wall having an exposed surface and an unexposed surface, a plurality of engaging means on said -wall remote from said exposed surface, said Wall resting on said ledge and one of said plurality of said Wall engaging means being cooperable with said ledge engaging means to retain said unexposed surface against one of said sides, and connect ing means engaging said other of said plurality of wall engaging means to connect the same to another of said plurality of sides.

7. In a bracket structure as in claim *5, a second ledge extending beyond another of said sides and having engaging means thereon, a second wall having an exposed surface and a plurality of engaging means thereon remote from said exposed surface, said second Wall resting on 8. 'said second ledge and one of said engaging means thereof being coopera'ble with said engaging means of said second ledge, and means connecting another of said plurality of engaging means of said second wall and connecting the same to another of said plurality of sides of said bracket structure.

8. In a bracket structure as in claim 6, another of said plurality of sides being opposite that of said one side and being disposed substantially vertically to be positioned fiat against a Wall.

9. In a bracket structure as in claim 6, said bracket sides being formed of a unitary sheet of flat metal having one end thereof terminating in a ledge and the other end thereof being directed substantially diagonally from one of said sides to the other and secured to said other side.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,257,850 Guzy Feb. 26, 1918 1,331,862 Claus Feb. 24, 1920 1,435,015 Lidberg Nov. 7, 1922 1,714,823 Soper May 28, 1929 1,866,174 Richardson July 5, 1932 2,512,108- Liptay June 20, 1950 2,530,233 Dockray et al. Nov. 14, 1950 2,582,553 McMurtrie Jan. 15, 1952 2,665,963 Wallack Ian. 12, 1954 2,709,954 Baker June 7, 1955 

1. IN A CONSTRUCTION FOR TABLE STRUCTURES, A TABLE INCLUDING A TOP SURFACE, A REAR WALL AND A TOP LEDGE, SAID REAR WALL EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE TOP SURFACE AND HAVING AN EXPOSED SURFACE, A BRACKET HAVING A TOP AND A SIDE, SAID REAR WALL HAVING ENGAGING MEANS ALONG OPPOSITE EDGES THEREOF REMOTE FROM ITS EXPOSED SURFACE, SUPPORT MEANS EXTENDING FROM AND BEYOND THE SIDE OF SAID BRACKET AND ENGAGING SAID ENGAGING MEANS ALONG ONE OF THE EDGES OF REAR WALL TO MAINTAIN IN THE SAME AGAINST SAID BRACKET SIDE, CONNECTING MEANS ENGAGING SAID ENGAGING MEANS OF SAID REAR WALL ALONG THE OPPOSITE EDGE THEREOF, AND MEANS SECURING SAID CONNECTING MEANS TO SAID BRACKET TOP, SAID CONNECTING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS TO SUPPORT SAID TOP LEDGE ABOVE SAID BRACKET TOP. 